Archive
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Karate: Phoenix rise to occasion
Phoenix enjoyed tremendous success at the BJC National Individual Championships which were held in Gillingham last weekend. Gold Medal winners - top (left-right) Garydd Matthews, Paul Constable; bottom, Cyan and Harry Turner The club, which trains at
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Benfleet: Blisters and midges for the marching
Dedicated fundraisers are set to take on everything from swarms of midges to blisters when they set off on a 100-mile walk. The Benfleet-based Victor Meldrews team are hoping their eight-day trek in Scotland will raise £500 for the Benfleet branch of
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Southend: Arriva swaps buses for ageing models
Arriva is to use older buses in Southend to save money and avoid cutting services. The company claims the move is necessary because it is not getting enough revenue from passengers. The company will replace some of its current buses with older models
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Canvey: It's no again to road dualling
Essex has yet again thrown cold water on hopes that accident-prone Canvey Way could be turned into a dual carriageway. Canvey West councillor Ray Howard made the latest request for dualling at this week's full meeting of Essex County Council. Mr Howard
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Golf: Teenager Ricki aims to Winn major glory
When Southend teenager Ricki Winn was eight years old, dad Derek backed him at odds of 1,000-1 to win one of golf's four majors by the age of 25. Putting for glory - Southend teenager Ricki Winn aims to taste victory in a golf major by the age of 25 Picture
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Basildon: Schools' recycling challenge
Schools across Basildon are competing for cash rewards as part of a national recycling initiative. So far 17 schools have signed up to recycle Yellow Pages directories, run by Yellow Pages, the Directory Recycling Scheme and the Woodland Trust. The school
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Essex: Calendar girl winners
A risque calendar made by the ladies of a small village has already been selling like hot cakes. The various poses of the semi-clad CM3 Girls, from North Fambridge, have been put together in the special calendar and all the proceeds made from sales will
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Witham: Groups urged to grab cash funds
Community groups and charities in Witham have been urged to tap into thousands of pounds which are being made available through a local business. Insurance company Marsh, based in Grove House, Newland Street, Witham, is inviting groups representing good
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Colchester: Tributes to girl killed in crash
Tributes have been paid to a 15-year-old schoolgirl who died in a motorbike accident in Colchester. Rebecca Fenton, of Bemerton Gardens in Kirby Cross, was riding as a pillion passenger when the motorbike her father was driving was in collision with a
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Maldon: Developer wins order
A developer has won a second High Court challenge to use land they own in Maldon for a 124 homes. Mr Justice Harrison has granted Thomas Bates of Harold Wood, an order quashing a Government planning inspector's decision to back Maldon District Council's
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Colchester: Buyers bowled a googly
A property firm has admitted bowling househunters a googly by suggesting county cricket matches would be staged at Colchester's Abbey Field. Taylor Woodrow has bought up 200 acres of Army land to build homes as part of the multi-million pound garrison
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Basildon: Pals, despite brain damage crash
A car crash passenger who suffered brain damage said he and the driver "were still good friends". Ben Steward, 21, urged a judge not to send 23-year-old Matthew Fitzpatrick to prison, but his plea was in vain. Mr Steward, who spent two months in hospital
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Braintree: Maternity unit campaign boost
A campaign to keep a Braintree maternity unit open 24 hours a day has had an unexpected boost. Witham, Braintree and Halstead Care Trust said 22 babies were born at William Julien Courtauld (WJC) Hospital, Braintree, last month. The unit has been the
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Essex: World champ shares her experiences
A world champion athlete was guest of honour at an awards evening. Essex athlete Julie Pratt spoke of her experiences as world junior champion hurdler at Colne Community School and College's annual sports award evening. Close to 600 students, staff, parents
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Showjumping: Laura determined to finish on a high
Laura Sims is looking to jump to glory. The 15-year-old is part of a five-strong squad which has been selected to represent Great Britain at the Pony European Championships in Jaszkowo, Poland. This will be the last international competition the Great
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Athletics: Track star McLean climbs brand new hurdle heights
Southend Athletic Club and Greensward College athlete James McLean is having an excellent track season. He has continued to break records under the watchful eye of his coach, Peter Winch, at the Southend club, who train at the Garon Park track. At the
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Colchester: Essex winning bug fight
The trust which runs Colchester's NHS hospitals has performed well in MRSA tables. Essex Rivers has the ninth lowest rate nationally of patients with the MRSA superbug for general hospitals. National Audit Office Figures show Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS
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Cricket: Irani all set for biggest match of year
Ronnie Irani is in no doubt as to the importance of tonight's Twenty20 Cup clash against Sussex at Chelmsford. "This is a massive game for us - the most crucial of the season so far," said the Essex skipper. "Realistically our only hope of honours this
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Colchester: Travellers' site: it's them or us threat
A firm employing 140 people will leave Colchester if a travellers' site is built near Severalls industrial estate. Paul Baker, boss of Rapid Electronics, Severalls Lane, Colchester, today declared he would pull out of town without hesitation if one of
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Soccer: Funeral date for football favourite
Popular football coach Ray Scott's funeral will be held midday next Monday at Southend crematorium. The 59-year-old passed away on Saturday morning at Maidstone hospital, Kent, after suffering a stroke following a concert at Leeds Castle. Known to many
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Witham: Lilly is baby of year
The votes are in, and pretty toddler Lilly Mae Hackett has swept the board to become the 2004 Essex Chronicle Baby of the Year. Lilly, now 14 months old, of Hemmingway Road, Witham, gained the most votes of the 800 youngsters who were entered into the
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Basildon: Claire does the Echo trolley dash
A shopper bagged £180 of goodies in a mad two-minute trolley dash today, thanks to the Evening Echo. Supermarket sweep - Claire fills her trolley at Asda Wal-Mart in Basildon's Eastgate centre Picture: RON POULTER Claire Scowen-Gibbs, 31, had exactly
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Cricket: Essex target pace ace Lee
Essex go into tonight's vital Twenty20 Cup clash with Sussex Sharks boosted by the news they are in the hunt for Australian pace ace Brett Lee. Ronnie Irani - in touch with Mark Waugh about Brett Lee And promising West Indies quickie Tino Best could be
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Soccer: Tilson delight with FIFA reverse
Southend United manager Steve Tilson today expressed his delight at FIFA's decision to reverse their controversial "six substitutions" policy. The game's governing body had originally planned to enforce the highly criticised innovation, but Tilson will
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South Essex: Mayor Ken may control our trains
London mayor Ken Livingstone could be handed control of rail services in south Essex with powers over fares and overcrowding it was reported today. A Government task force is considering an overhaul of the UK network to give Mr Livingstone control of
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Chelmsford: Tourist advice centre deal gets go-ahead
A new improved visitor and tourist advice centre is on the way for a mid-Essex town. Councillors in Chelmsford last night agreed to a partnership between the borough council and private travel firm, First Group. First Group's staff would be responsible
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Southend: Shoppers in 'fire' alert
Staff and shoppers were evacuated from one of Southend's major shopping centres this morning after a fire alarm went off. The Royals at the bottom of the High Street was closed off at around 10am because of the scare. Other shops and cafes continued to
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Braintree: Staff shocked after break-in
Staff at Braintree's new £130,000 X-ray department were left shocked after thieves broke in and stole vital equipment. The thieves kicked in a door panel to gain entry, stole a £900 computer monitor and sprayed cleaning fluid over equipment. The unit
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Essex: Uni honour for Helen Mirren
Hollywood star and former Essex schoolgirl Helen Mirren has received an honorary degree from Essex University. New role - actress Helen Mirren waits to receive her degree Picture: ADRIAN RUSHTON (37091-1) She accepted the honorary doctorate at a graduation
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Speedway: Arena Hurry to victory
Reserve rider Paul Hurry was the star man as Arena Essex enjoyed a 53-41 Elite League win at home to Coventry. Hurry mustered three heat wins from his six rides to return 13 points and with Mark Loram also posting 13 points, the Hammers were able to take
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Bowls: Summers come late to reach last eight
It was a case of Summers coming late at Priory Park yesterday as the pairs competition was played up to the quarter-final stages at the Southend Men's Open Bowls Tournament. Father and son Cliff and Alan Summers, two thirds of last week's beaten triples
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Basildon: Shoppers' store war joy
Basildon shoppers will reap the profits after retail tycoon Philip Green said he is preparing to wage a high street war on Marks & Spencer after dropping his £9.1billion takeover bid. As chief executive Stuart Rose gets to grips with his task of turning
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Harwich: £49m for A120 improvement
The developers behind Bathside Bay are prepared to pay up to £49million to improve the A120. Hutchison Ports UK (HPUK), which wants to build the deep-sea container terminal, yesterday stated its intention to cover whatever costs are required. The £49million
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Panfield: Phone line misery at end
Hundreds of Panfield residents have finally had their phone lines repaired after they were left without a service for nearly a week. British Telecom confirmed yesterday the majority of its 500 customers had had their phone lines reconnected after the
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Cricket: Essex target pace ace Lee
Essex go into their vital Twenty20 Cup clash with Sussex Sharks boosted by the news they are in the hunt for Australian pace ace Brett Lee. Ronnie Irani - Said Essex have been in touch with Mark Waugh about the availability of Brett Lee And promising
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South Essex: Mayor Ken may control our trains
London mayor Ken Livingstone could be handed control of rail services in south Essex with powers over fares and overcrowding. A Government task force is considering an overhaul of the UK network to give Mr Livingstone control of rail services within a
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Rugby Union: Gillespie is new skipper
Canvey Island rugby club have named Dave Gillespie as the new man to lead them forward as skipper of the Essex Two side. Gillespie will be joined by Jamie Saunders, who is set to return to the island as player/coach, following a spell in Torquay, as the
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Basildon: Old tree is pulling my house down
A widow has appealed for help from Basildon Council to cut down a tree that is effectively pulling her house down. Look at this - Dorrit Sellwood asks Nigel Smith to lend a hand and hold up the wall of her home Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY 2VMGY6 The 150-year-old
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Southend: Councillor slams 'older bus' plans
A parish councillor has slammed plans to reduce a bus service and replace current buses with older models. From July 25, the number 14 service from Great Wakering to Southend will no longer go as far as the hospital, but will end at the town centre instead
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Castle Point: MP clears trees to help music lovers and church
Timber! Castle Point's MP has spent days clearing his garden of surplus trees for an event to help St Mary's Church, which is in the middle of a conservation area. Bob Spink says he needed to make space for residents attending a proms night to be held
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Tiptree: 'Frightening experience' for woman in car
Police have issued a warning after two men tried to get into the car of an off-duty policewoman driving alone through a village. The woman was stopped in Maypole Road, Tiptree, at about 11pm last night. The two men asked for a lift, claiming there was
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Basildon: Warning after abduction bids
Police today warned residents to be on their guard following two attempted abductions in Basildon within just eight hours. A man grabbed the arm of a nine-year-old boy and attemped to drag him away after offering him sweets near shops in Felmores End,
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Braintree: Final part of road opened
The final part of a £130 million road between Braintree and Dunmow has been opened, ending months of misery for local residents. The 15-mile dual carriageway to the M11 has taken nearly three years to complete. Traffic can now access the road south of
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Basildon: Robot gives hospital staff a work boost
Staff are getting more work done and patients are getting their medicines quicker thanks to a hi-tech robot which has moved into the pharmacy at Basildon Hospital. The £250,000 robot is part of a £1.4million refurbishment and improvement programme that
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South Woodham Ferrers: Tenagers hit back
South Woodham teenagers have hit back at a curfew which will ban them from the town centre at night during the summer holidays. But police are standing firm over the measure, which bans under 16s from the town centre after 9pm and gives officers powers
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Southend: Out in force to stop home care sell-off
Union members protested against further privatisation of home care services outside a Southend Council meeting. The Council's Community Services Scrutiny Committee discussed proposals to reorganise the Council's Home Care provision by creating a care
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Harwich: New venue for hospital fete
Organisers behind one of Harwich's biggest fundraising events are hoping it will be supported as well as ever this year. The Harwich Hospital Fete takes place on Saturday at a new venue. It has always been held in the hospital grounds until now, but work
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Basildon: Have a heart and mark shop's 10th anniversary
A Basildon charity shop will celebrate ten years of raising funds for heart patients and vital research later this month. The British Heart Foundation shop in Southernhay has invited residents along on July 28 to mark the occasion. Shop manager Elaine
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Canvey: Nature reserve plan for island
Canvey's saltmarshes could become a protected nature reserve to fend off any development from the multi-billion pound Thames Gateway project. The RSPB wants to lease nearly 200 acres of mudflats north of the island to manage and safeguard the area which
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Southend: Wal-Mart scrapped as Vic Plaza sold
Multi-million pound plans for an Asda Wal-Mart superstore have been dumped after Southend's Victoria Plaza was sold off for the third time in seven years. In a shock move, Delamare Estates, a 20-year-old company which specialises in retail property refurbishment
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Clacton: Daughters in emotional appeal
The daughters of a missing woman have made an emotional plea for help to find out what happened to their mother. Help us find the truth - Sandra Gant's daughters Carrie, Lauren and Michaela make an emotional appeal at a press conference. Picture: NIGEL
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Basildon: Truants rumbled in Eastgate crackdown
More than 40 pupils have been caught in a truancy crackdown. Essex County Council education welfare service officers and police yesterday targeted Basildon's Eastgate shopping centre and the town centre in their fourth sweep this year. In just three hours
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Diving: Southend star Tracey eyes Olympic
Southend swimming club diving star Tracey Richardson today revealed she was relishing the prospect of competiting in this summer's Olympic Games. But the 21-year-old, who trained at Warrior Square before gaining a scholarship in South Carolina, admitted
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Colchester: Second time lucky for chief executive
The new chief executive of Colchester Council has been chosen. Members last night voted unanimously to install Adrian Pritchard in the £100,000-a-year post. It was a case of second time lucky for the experienced former Suffolk County Council officer,
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Maldon: Tributes to man killed in crash
The family of a 20-year old man killed in a road accident have paid tribute to him, saying they have been "overwhelmed by the number of people who loved our boy". Robert Warner, from Butts Green Road in Sandon, died after his car hit a group of trees
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Southend: Blitz on doorstep callers
Southend Council has backed a campaign to clamp down on dodgy doorstep callers. The Office of Fair Trading yesterday launched the initiative entitled Your Doorstep - Your Decision. The national campaign aims to help consumers stay in control when they
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Shoebury, Great Wakering: Power blackout hits thousands
Nearly 2,000 homes and businesses were left without power in Shoebury and Great Wakering yesterday. A cable fault hit homes and businesses shortly before 10am causing widespread disruption. The cut, the fifth in the last month, meant customers at one
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Golf: Taylor in top gear
Brett Taylor, who works at a go-cart centre to boost his earnings, will be hoping to find top golfing gear over the next four days when he plays in the greatest tournament in the world. The former Southend cadet, now aged 29, lives in Wickford and, after
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Soccer: Cade's treble propels U's to victory
Jamie Cade blasted a hat-trick as Colchester United swept to a 6-1 win over Saffron Walden Town in their second pre-season friendly. Hat-trick hero - Jamie Cade scored three times in the U's 6-1 demolition of Saffron Walden Town. Triallist Ben Bowditch